Location-based discovery of network members

ABSTRACT

A technique for allowing members of the same social network using mobile devices to discover others in the vicinity by personal attributes and in specific picture(s) and name for the purpose of connecting, and the ability to use functions provided by a social network such as SMS, e-mail, chat/instant messaging, multimedia, or video by using unique hardware identification of each member mobile device and personal login information that are stored in a network server computing device; and associating the unique apparatus of the members&#39; hardware with the members&#39; personal profile such that when a search is initiated between members, the results contain the members&#39; profile&#39;s picture(s), name, location and additional information as stored in the profiles. The proximity of the users is determined by static or dynamic location of the actual device location identified through mobile radio frequency location technology and internet IP information and saved in the user profile.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/000,960, filed on Jan. 19, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 14/570,779, filed on Dec. 15, 2014, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,264,875, issued on Feb. 16, 2016, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/351,654, filed onJan. 9, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,914,024, issued on Dec. 16, 2014,which claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/010,891filed on Jan. 10, 2008, the complete disclosures of which, in theirentireties, are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The embodiments herein generally relate to communication systems, andmore particularly to device connectivity in a communications network.

Description of the Related Art

In light of the explosive use of mobile devices, social networks andemail addresses, individuals are in need of the ability to exchangecustomized information such as pictures, social network profiles, emailsand phone numbers using their mobile devices. There are methods toexchange contact information in the form of virtual cards (Vcards).However, there is generally no form of communication using mobiledevices that allows discovery by personal attributes for the purpose ofexchanging contact information. Furthermore, generally there is noavailable technology adapted allowing mobile device users to easilyexchange contacts and/or related personal information over the internetfor the purpose of social interaction by way of mobile devices withoutlimitations to hardware brands.

Available methods for contact information exchange do not typicallyprovide discovery by attributes. Rather, these methods assign pinnumbers to individuals or offer discovery by a mobile class or mobileID. Typically, these systems require a user to operate under a commontelecommunication service provider operated network. Other methods arebased on Bluetooth® technology in an ad hoc mode between two devices.These methods usually work only on the same brand mobile devices due toBluetooth® technology limitations, compatibility and security issues.

In recent years, social networks began collaboration and establishmentof an API protocol which stands for Application Programming Interfacethat allows for social networks to connect to each other with givenpermission from the user, to import data or pictures from one socialnetwork to another. Yet no method generally allows members of varioussocial networks to interexchange contact information, or offer thirdparty solution dedicated to members connecting with others whom are notknown to members based on the vicinity and common interest.

Communication between two Bluetooth-enabled devices typically requiresentering a passkey or security code to allow pairing or communicationbetween any two devices. This desire for maintaining security/privacy,inherent in the design of existing Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as aSmartphone, has imposed undesirable limitations on mobile device userswho wish to interact with each other in a social setting.

Other alternatives available for contact information exchange such asBeam technology permit the exchange to take place between similar mobiledevices using an infrared signal. This particular solution is, however,limited. For example, it requires a line-of-sight between the devicesand does not offer the ability to exchange information such as picturesas a personal attribute and limits the use to a similar brand ofhardware transmitting in an ad hoc mode.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,868,451; 7,249,182; 7,440,746; 7,450,996; and7,454,004, the complete disclosures of which, in their entireties, areherein incorporated by reference, focus on contact information storage,retrieval, Bluetooth® technology methods of profiles and exchange ofcontact information.

Additionally, there has been advanced ability to precisely determinemobile devices locations but all the standards in place are gearedtowards identifying devices locations as instruments. There are no humanface associated with the searches in those standards and no links tosocial networks. They are simply industry standards without connectionto exploding applications and methods of mobile devices use.

Multiple advanced technologies have been added to the mobile phoneindustry by International Organizations for Standards to provideaccurate dynamic reporting of the mobile devices. Some of the standardsadopted are: LBS (Location Based Service) based on GPS (Global localpositioning), RTLS Real-Time Locating System, as noted in ISO/IEC19762-5 and ISO/IEC 24730-1 and Geolocation which is also the latitudeand longitude coordinates of a particular location. Geolocation usesradio Frequency RF location, TDOA (Time Difference Of Arrival),information from cell towers to triangulate the approximate position,and Internet Protocol (IP) address among other information to determinethe exact address of a mobile device or terminal connected to theinternet. The terms and definitions are standardized by ISO/IEC19762-5:2008.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a systemcomprising a computing device configured to communicate with variousmobile and terminal devices to manage introduction and connection ofmembers belonging to a same network by sharing personal attributesbetween members; a first mobile communications device communicativelylinked to the computing device; and a second mobile communicationsdevice communicatively linked to the computing device, wherein thecomputing device provides access to stored user profile informationabout a first user and a second user, wherein the computing device isconfigured to store static locations of members and receive informationidentifying current dynamic locations of all members in the network,wherein the computing device is configured to calculate and determine aproximity of user locations, wherein the computing device is configuredto send to the first user upon inquiring of other members in the networkof the first user, personal attributes of all other members based onproximity calculations to select members that the first user may wish toconnect with, and to send to the second mobile communication device aninvitation on behalf of the first user for the second user to acceptconnecting with the first user, wherein the computing device isconfigured to communicatively connect the first user and the seconduser, and wherein the computing device is configured to locateinformation about the second user from a social network storage file ofthe second user, and transmit this information to the first mobilecommunications device.

The computing device may be operable to disclose social networkattributes of the first and second users for connecting members. Thecomputing device may be configured to report to the first user socialnetwork attributes of all members of a social network who are inproximity to the first user. The computing device may be configured toreceive from the first user a selection of one or more additional userswith whom the first user wishes to connect with through a socialnetwork. The computing device may be configured to send to the firstuser social attributes of one or more of selected additional users. Thecomputing device may be configured to update profile information toindicate that the first and second users are connected. The computingdevice may be configured to store communication between members andsynchronize saved communication on a client side application used ondevices for communication. The computing device may be configured toassess a proximity of users to one another based on any of a staticlocation information in a user profile and updated location indicatorsof a user dynamic location. Updated location indicators may be based onuser location information reported to the computing device. Thecomputing device may permit discoverable members to have theirrespective devices turned on or turned off at a time of a search beingconducted by the first user, wherein the computing device may permit thediscoverable members to have their respective devices unconnected to aninternet connection service at the time of the search being conducted bythe first user, and wherein any of turned off devices and disconnecteddevices may be discoverable by the computer device as the internetconnection service is configured to report the any of turned off devicesand disconnected devices as discoverable based on a latest static anddynamic location in proximity to the first user.

Another embodiment provides a method comprising using a computing deviceto communicate with various mobile and terminal devices to manageintroduction and connection of members belonging to a same network bysharing personal attributes between members; communicatively linking afirst mobile communications device to the computing device;communicatively linking a second mobile communications device to thecomputing device; using the computing device to provide access to storeduser profile information about a first user and a second user; using thecomputing device to store static locations of members and receiveinformation identifying current dynamic locations of all members in thenetwork; using the computing device to calculate and determine aproximity of user locations; using the computing device to send to thefirst user upon inquiring of other members in the network of the firstuser, personal attributes of all other members based on proximitycalculations to select members that the first user may wish to connectwith, and to send to the second mobile communication device aninvitation on behalf of the first user for the second user to acceptconnecting with the first user; using the computing device tocommunicatively connect the first user and the second user; and usingthe computing device to locate information about the second user from asocial network storage file of the second user, and transmit thisinformation to the first mobile communications device.

The method may further comprise using the computing device to disclosesocial network attributes of the first and second users for connectingmembers. The method may further comprise using the computing device toreport to the first user social network attributes of all members of asocial network who are in proximity to the first user. The method mayfurther comprise using the computing device to receive from the firstuser a selection of one or more additional users with whom the firstuser wishes to connect with through a social network. The method mayfurther comprise using the computing device to send to the first usersocial attributes of one or more of selected additional users. Themethod may further comprise using the computing device to update profileinformation to indicate that the first and second users are connected.The method may further comprise using the computing device to storecommunication between members and synchronize saved communication on aclient side application used on devices for communication. The methodmay further comprise using the computing device to assess a proximity ofusers to one another based on any of a static location information in auser profile and updated location indicators of a user dynamic location.The updated location indicators may be based on user locationinformation reported to the computing device. The method may furthercomprise using the computing device to permit discoverable members tohave their respective devices turned on or turned off at a time of asearch being conducted by the first user; and using the computing deviceto permit the discoverable members to have their respective devicesunconnected to an internet connection service at the time of the searchbeing conducted by the first user, wherein any of turned off devices anddisconnected devices may be discoverable by the computer device as theinternet connection service is configured to report the any of turnedoff devices and disconnected devices as discoverable based on a lateststatic and dynamic location in proximity to the first user.

These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be betterappreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings. It should beunderstood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicatingpreferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are givenby way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes andmodifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments hereinwithout departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments hereininclude all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein will be better understood from the followingdetailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates communication links to/from mobile devices and anetwork-based server; according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a computer or mobile device, and agenerated display for registering with a service, according to anembodiment herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a database schema/structure formaintaining personal information about a user (member) registered withthe service, according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart associated with the creation of a social card anda user account/profile to initiate the use of the service of discoveringothers in the vicinity with personal attributes such as pictures andnames, according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates a discovery process flowchart, according to anembodiment herein;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a discovery process between users, accordingto an embodiment herein;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting the processing of a user initiatingdiscovery and showing interest to connect to a second user where allcommunication is managed by the server, according to an embodimentherein;

FIG. 8 illustrates the establishment of the communication between users,according to an embodiment herein; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an arrangement in which a server receivesGPS/LBS/GEOLOCATION coordinates from users, compares these coordinatesto determine proximity, and informs the users of the proximity,according to an embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous detailsthereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limitingembodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings anddetailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-knowncomponents and processing techniques are omitted so as to notunnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used hereinare intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which theembodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those skilledin the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examplesshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or”is used to refer to a “nonexclusive or” unless otherwise indicated.

The embodiments herein relate to members discovering other members inthe same social network who are in the vicinity by personal attributessuch as picture(s), name and location. The personal attributes arestored in users' profiles on the social network server and areassociating with each member's unique hardware identification and log-incredentials. Discovering other members would be for the purpose ofexchanging personal information, connecting to each other through thesocial network services and communicating through SMS, E-mail,chat/instant messaging, text, multimedia, or video features that maybeoffered by the same social network.

According to one aspect of the embodiments herein, mobile device userssign up or register with a service through website or using their mobiledevice. For ease of registration, optionally the users can sign up usingexisting other social network credentials and import pictures from thissecond social network for the new account creation if this other socialnetwork allows porting of users' information and personal attributessuch as picture(s) and name. Users may be required to provide additionalinformation if personal attributes such as picture and name wereimported via API from another social network to complete the sign upprocess. Signing up through a mobile device will require that the userclearly have downloaded the CSA (Client Side Application) from either adepository third party application provider or request from the servicewebsite to send to his/her mobile a link allowing the download of theapplication. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly toFIGS. 1 through 9, where similar reference characters denotecorresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there areshown preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates how communication between mobile users 400 and theserver 401 is conducted. FIG. 1 is directed to an arrangement in which aserver/computing device 401 communicates bi-directionally with userdevices 400 by way of a cellular base transceiver station (BTS) 403through a standard that also provides separate facilities (not shown)for transmission of digital data. In certain embodiments, communicationbetween the member's mobile devices and the server goes through a BTS403, and communicates according to a packet-based telecommunicationsprotocol such as GPRS, 3G, 4G, LTE or any alternative data technology.In FIG. 1, communication links to/from mobile devices 400 and anetwork-based server 401 are provided; e.g., internet server, over a BTS403 using standard communication protocols that provide separatefacilities for transmission of digital data, or through wirelessconnection 404 capable of connecting the user to the internet 405. Asdepicted, the mobile devices 400 may communicate through the server 401to discover other members in the vicinity based on static locationprovided during sign up or dynamic location obtained from LBS, GPS, orGeolocation standards.

A list of example of services provided to various devices and mobilephones 400 regardless of method of communication used to connect to theserver 401 via the internet 405 include registration, view newly createdsocial card/profile, edit profile including adding multiple pictures,obtaining user location dynamically based on standard mobilecommunication protocols, search for members in vicinity, accessadditional features provided by social network such as chat/sms viewmembers who discovered the user, accept or reject invitations toconnect, and access any features provided by a social network.

The user provides information by filling out an on-line profile througha web based interface or interface provided by the CSA, includinguploading graphics or pictures. An example of an electronic generatedsign-up screen is shown in FIG. 2. Additional aspects of theregistration process include creating a social card or profile, which isintended to be shared with other users or be discovered by other users.The user's profiles are available for people in the vicinity to view,via a mobile data connection to internet or direct internet connectionfrom the mobile device to local wireless network.

FIG. 2, with reference to FIG. 1, depicts an example of a computer ormobile device 100, and generated display 101 for registering with aservice. This service may provide a user with a network-based storagefor personal contact information, creation of a custom social card tosend to discovered, or discovering, users who are also members of theservice, for the purpose of providing personal contact informationincluding personal attributes such as picture(s) to other users and foraccessing personal contact information including personal attributessuch as picture(s) by of other users of the service. The service may bepart of a social network. The registration may offer option to sign upusing another social network credentials for ease or registering andauthentication. The CSA will obtain a mobile device unique ID uponcomplete sign up from a mobile device 100 or upon first access from amobile device 100.

As mentioned above, the registration process also includes downloadingof the CSA, where the CSA resides on the mobile device 100, and enabledto communicate directly with the service, through a provided internetconnection, to synchronize/update contacts and to manage communicationwith contacts or potential new contacts, access account information viausername/password, or phone ID, send search requests for informationabout users in the vicinity, send invitations, accept, exchange denyrequests for exchange of information, obtain instances of the serveraddresses, allow the user to edit his/her own profile, update photos orinformation or add additional photos or information, etc. The CSAconnects to the server through internet connection provided by themobile device 100.

Personal and other user information can also be added by way of the CSAfor storage on a server, including hobbies, business associations, orpersonal information as examples. This and other information can also beadded for storage on the server means other than the CSA, such as theuser's personal computer, a dedicated kiosk, or other means foraccessing the server through the internet. In order to take advantage ofthe functionalities provided by the service, the member of the service(“member”) should have a mobile communication device that providesseparate facilities (besides voice transmission) for transmittingdigital data. This allows a mobile phone to act like any other computerover the Internet, sending and receiving data via the Internet Protocol.

One format for storing information about a user/member of the service isshown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Depicted herein are some of the types of userinformation that may be stored and made accessible to the user at theserver. Users may provide personal attributes such as name, address, anda picture. Information about the user's mobile device 100 may includethe make, model, and phone number.

FIG. 3, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrates an example of adatabase schema/structure 200 for maintaining personal information abouta user (member) registered with the service. The information about themember may include, for example, his/her mobile device attributes suchas the device key, mobile telecommunications provider; the mobile devicetype; the member's profile, e.g., name, address, etc.; stored photo(s)of the user; country/state where the member resides; and otherinformation.

The service provided to users may be operated/accessible under acentralized computer system (“server”), which may include but notlimited to four components: 1) Graphical user interface, providing aninterface to members of the network to sign up, input/edit profileinformation, etc. 2) A scripting language designed for producing dynamicweb pages and mobile language web pages. 3) A comprehensive data basethat includes user's information, for example as discussed above andshown in FIG. 1. Computing capabilities such as calculating proximity ofmembers based on static location information in database or dynamiclocation info obtained through the CSA.

FIG. 4, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, is a flowchart depicting aprocess for registering with the service: Account set up and informationprovided through a web-based User Interface 101, e.g., such as shown inFIG. 2; or mobile device CSA. The user optionally has the flexibility ofsigning up to the service and import personal attributes includingpicture, name and additional information by using a second socialnetwork credentials. The CSA collects characteristics from the mobiledevice such as a phone number or IMEI (international Mobile StationEquipment Identity) for the purpose of associating the mobile device 400with a user account maintained at the server 401. This associationbetween the unique ID such as IMEI, and the user account is used toreport the mobile device location to the server dynamically andauthenticate user with device used.

To completely utilize the mobile features provided by the serviceincluding dynamic search of members in vicinity, the user installs theCSA to the mobile device 400 that in addition to reporting location tothe server, enables the user to update, replace, revise the socialprofile or personal attribute information, modify, hide or publishprofile information (at the server) as contained in the user's contactinformation; e.g., the information contained in the user's profile whichmay be sent when the user initiates discovery process. Furthermore, theCSA allows the user to indicate interest in connecting with a member, orthe user is discovered by others members searches and communicate toother members though features such as SMS, chat, text, and otherfeatures.

FIG. 4 illustrates how the server 401 may associate each mobile device400 with a member account of the service using a unique ID such as IMEI.During the installation process, the server 401 receives from the CSArequired Unique ID such as IMEI, or phone number. FIG. 4 is a flowchartassociated with the creation of a social card and a user account/profileto initiate the use of the service of discovering others in the vicinitywith personal attributes such as pictures and name. As well, it nowallows other users to discover the new created account.

The CSA collects unique mobile device ID during the registration toassociate with the newly created member profile for future locationreporting and authentication for secure and future log in if needed.Once an account is created, the device 400 is not required to be poweredon to be discovered. And the last location reported to the server 401would be considered the current location OR the server 401 may elect torevoke last location reported and identify the user location to be thelocation provided during sign up as the default location known to theuser.

FIG. 5, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, illustrates a discoveryprocess flowchart where a user connects to the server 401 using the CSAon the mobile device 400 which reports the user location and returns thesearch results after cross referencing the user location with othermembers to determine proximity. The server 401 shares with the inquiringuser pictures and names and possible profile information so user canselect from the list members to connect to.

When a user connects to the server 401 to inquire about other members inthe vicinity, the server 401 returns the search results based onproximity and provides personal attributes of all members in thevicinity based on last location known regardless of those reportedmembers are connected at the time to the service or not. Proximity canbe a default value set by the server 401 to be within feet or miles,etc. and may allow users to select the value of that proximity for anysearch inquiry. The user can modify the search to adjust the distance toset parameters for the proximity or even request a search in proximityof a specific point like a convention center or a particular town.

The CSA connection to the server 401 by the device 400 may be used toaccomplish three tasks: First, to connect to the service. Second, toprovide update on location. Third, to inquire on members in the vicinitybased on the current location. FIG. 5 illustrates the discovery of theusers using the requesting user's mobile device 400 first to log in andassociate the device with the user as well as report the location andinitiate a request to discover members in the vicinity. The requestinguser's resident CSA receives from the server 401, as a result, theprofiles including pictures of all members in the vicinity.

The server 401, after receiving an inquiry on members in the vicinity,transmits back to the requesting user mobile device 400 the pictures andnames, or other information, for each of the devices in the vicinity,which are then displayed on the inquiring user mobile device screen 410.The discovery process may thus include the showing of personal ordetailed information that a member may wish to have displayed during theinitial discovery step, rather than merely a device ID or address,device type, etc. At this point the requesting user has received a listof pictures and names which he/she can now select from the mobile device400 if further connection is desirable.

In one example, in a first step of the discovery process, a user logs inthe service and initiates an inquiry on members in the vicinity. The CSAreports to the server 401 the mobile device's 400 current location basedon available cellular location information or IP address if the user islogged to the service via local internet connection. In the second step,the server 401 cross references the location of the user by other usersknow locations based on static data in the members profiles, and,current dynamic location based on latest reported location updateobtained. Once the proximity calculation is complete, the server 401returns to the first user the results of the search and providespersonal attributes including pictures of all members in proximity ofthe first user.

FIGS. 6 and 7, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, show in furtherdetail how users may discover each other, in four steps:

Step 1: The user connects to server 401 through an internet capabledevice belonging to User #1, the CSA reports to server location of thedevice belonging to User #1 during the log in process, the user theninitiates discovery process of members in vicinity by sending an inquiryto the server 401.

Step 2: The server 401 receives the request from User #1 CSA, the server401 cross references the user location based on location obtaineddynamically or based on the location in the user's profile. Then, theserver 401 returns the search results with profiles of members invicinity including member's social attributes such as pictures andinformation.

Step 3: The first user reviews the search results and informs the server401 with his/her interest in connecting to a particular second user(User #2).

If applicable, User #1 may send to User #2 a message/email/sms throughthe server 401 if the server's facility allows such features to initiatecontact.

Step 4: The server 401 informs User #2 of User #1's interest inconnecting and/or facilitates a chat feature and delivers the messagesent by User #1, and provides User #1 a picture or profile including thepicture and personal attributes for User #2 to accept or to decline theinvitation to connect/chat.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a discovery process between users (User #1 andUser #2) where User #1 connects to server 401 through an internetcapable device and CSA reports to server location of the connecteddevice. Based on the reported location or location stored in user'sprofile, the server 401 returns to the User #1 profiles of all users inthe vicinity based on proximity with pictures of each user.

If the user (e.g., User #1) elects to connect with any of thesuggestions, the user (e.g., User #1) indicates this and the process ofinforming the other member (e.g., user #2) is managed by the server 401.No direct contact occurs between users at this point and will not unlessthe users elect to exchange personal information such as mobile numbersto connect outside of provided service and features. This managedcommunication by the server 401 insures privacy and allows users toreject connections or terminate conversations without having to worryabout direct connections potential issues. The communication between theserver 401 and CSA are conducted via a common internet protocol suitewhich includes an application layer, transport layer, internet layer,and link layer.

FIG. 7 shows a further example of notification to discovered usersalerting them to an exchange request. The notification shows the otherusers' personal attributes including name and picture. FIG. 7 is aflowchart depicting the processing of a user initiating discovery andshowing interest to connect to a second user (e.g., User #2) where allcommunication is managed by the server 401, according to an embodimentherein. FIG. 7 describes additional aspects of notifications andresponses options to requests for exchange of electronics coordinates,personal information or connecting. All communication between users forthe purpose of connecting members after the discovery is managed by theserver 401.

User #2 (the discovered user) has the option of accepting theinvitation, ignoring/declining or engage in services provided by theserver 401 such as chat or sms with or without accepting connection withUser #1. Since all communication between members is managed by theserver 401, the server database 401 may store any contact informationexchanged and add it through a synchronization method with the CSA aswell as keep the history of any conversations/SMS between the members.

The CSA includes feature such as storing edits to profile orcommunication between the members and synchronizes to the serverdatabase 401 for storage once connection between CSA and server 401 isestablished. This dual storage feature allows the user to restorecommunication between users on a new device if the device in use is lostor damaged as well as restoring all account information.

In the case where a user switches mobile devices, all the user has to dois to install the CSA on the new device and login with his/hercredentials. Once an internet connection is established between the newdevice CSA and server 401, and user credentials; the server 401synchronizes all stored information to the new device, and the newinstalled CSA reports the new device unique hardware identification.

A server 401 is able to facilitate communication between the two usersand may provide additional features such as the ability to chat via SMSor email service and other services as illustrated in FIG. 8, withreference to FIGS. 1 through 7. In particular, FIG. 8 illustrates theestablishment of the communication between users 908A, 908B, such as forexample SMS 904, E-mail 906, chat/instant messaging, in the form of textor multimedia, video, etc., between consenting users 908A, 908B via aserver 401 that initiates discovery and consent for the users 908A, 908Bto exchange data.

The embodiments herein provide a medium for near real-time exchange ofcontact information, unlike E-mail, SMS or other modes of communicationbetween mobile devices. In this sense the user experience is enhancedover the exchange of E-mail or texting among phones, in at least threeways. First, a requesting device is not limited to conversing with onlymembers that he/she can contact through a known e-mail address, phonenumber, etc. Second, the exchange may proceed simply by initiatingdiscovery and/or responding to a discovery request. Third, the exchangecan occur among multiple members of a service at the same time.

The centralized computer system (“server”) 401 may include, or beassociated with, an SMS server platform 904 or E-mail platform 906 thatprovides a corresponding channel of communication between the users908A, 908B. The users 908A, 908B are shown communicating directly withone another via SMS platform 904 and/or E-mail platform 906, facilitatedby server 401.

Members can contact other users, through offered types of communicationbetween them, for example SMS, E-mail, chat/instant messaging, in theform of text or multimedia, video, etc., can also be facilitated. Thisis depicted in FIG. 9, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 8, and whichillustrates an arrangement in which a server 401 receivesGPS/LBS/RTLS/GEOLOCATION coordinates from users 1004A, 1004B, comparesthese coordinates to determine proximity, and informs the users 1004A,1004B of the proximity.

In FIG. 9, server 401 is shown receiving GPS coordinates, or LBS or RTLSLocation Services information, or Geolocation information, from Users1004A and 1004B, comparing these coordinates to determine proximity, andinforming the users of the proximity. Informing one user of another'sproximity can be contingent upon consent of the users 1004A and 1004B,as obtained above, and can be performed in gradations, for exampleinitially sending limited information of one user to another, thenincreasing the delivered information and establishing contact dependingon consent. In certain embodiments, the participating members 1004A and1004B report their locations to the server 401, for exampleperiodically, and the server 401 maintains a record of and updates thesereported locations, and provides reports to certain users, for examplesto those belonging to a common social network. Members' profiles thatare connected can be updated to reflect such connection information bythe server/computing device 401.

In certain embodiments, the CSA, residing on the mobile device 400, mayhave but is not limited to the following software functionality:authentication and credentials storage capabilities.

An “authentication” portion requests authentication parameters from auser (ID or user login name and password); connects to an instance ofserver 401; sends user authorization information to the server sideusing ID or user name and password; displays a reason for denied accessin case of incorrect login; and exits from the software in case of apreset number of incorrect logins; allows a user to change the password;and downloads profile information from the server 401. The CSA has theability to store log-in credentials such as user name and password onthe device 400 and transfer the credentials to the server 401 forstorage in user profile database.

Another form of authentication is to insure that the unique mobile IDobtained and on record is associated with the user's log in credentialsand matches user stored information. Optionally, and with userpermission, the service may connect to another social network databasethrough APIs, which are application programming interfaces, to accessother social network users attributes such as name and picture.

The methods of connecting an application programming interface woulddifferentiate from one social network to another and be proprietary tothe respective social networks. An application programming interface(API) is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building softwareapplications for connecting one network to another network. An APIexpresses user attributes such as name, picture, and any additionalinformation on the user. The API expresses as well the social networkoperations, inputs, out-puts, and underlying types.

The embodiments herein recognize the previously listed advancements,while the application fills the gap between locating devices and how tohumanize the devices by associating personal attributes to each deviceso when a search is done, a face is found rather than a hardware IDnumber. None of the conventional standards/technologies used to locatemobile devices specified or provided methods allow the ability toassociate devices with personal attributes or profiles that includepicture and name. Associating personal attributes such as pictures andpersonal attributes allow users to identify other members and selectmembers whom they wish to exchange contacts with or connect with throughthe social network.

Certain embodiments herein provide a system and method that allowsindividuals to use their mobile phones to discover others in thevicinity by personal attributes, such as by photos and name, afterwhich, the two parties can exchange information through the socialnetwork via an internet connection bypassing the inherent limitations ofsame brand devices technology; e.g., security/privacy limitations andcompatibility issues that limit or prohibit ad hoc communication.

The system includes a network-linked storage facility that collectsinformation provided by members of the group; e.g., members of thesocial network, along with personal attributes in a data base hosted bya centralized computer with internet connection. The system associates amember's phone ID to the member's account/profile. The phone associationtakes place when the user downloads a client-side application whichcollects, among other things, a unique phone characteristic such as astandard IMEI (International Mobile Station Equipment Identity) orserial number of the mobile device or a unique identifier to associatethe member with the account.

According to yet another embodiment, a system for exchanging informationamong members of a group is provided, such as members of a socialnetwork service, and includes an internet based server having aregistration portion. After a user has registered online with theservice, the server may send the application to the mobile device todownload a client-side application into the mobile device.Alternatively, the user may download the CSA from the server or a thirdparty depository offering the service to download the CSA.

A registration process is complete when a user creates a customizedsocial card or profile with the social network, and the user maythereafter see or edit his/her social card on the mobile device oronline through a device that connects to the internet. Any changes tothe user's card or profile will be updated on both, the server of thesocial network and the CSA.

Another embodiment provides profiles that can be created by importingsome or all information from a separate social network that offers APIconnections to users' information. This provides ease for registeringand authentication to associate the discovery service with anothersocial network that does not or may not offer such a discovery serviceof members in vicinity.

According to an embodiment herein, the process of discovery and exchangeof contact information requires a CSA (Client Side Application) that isinstalled on the users' mobile devices and can connect users to theservice computing device through an internet connection. The CSAfunctions include but are not limited to, obtaining user credentials forlogging into the social network, obtaining unique hardware ID to link touser account, allowing user to edit profile and personal attributes,manage communication with contacts and access features of the serviceprovides such as SMS, text, voice, multimedia and communications withother members.

The vicinity and determination of the proximity is based on eitherstatic or dynamic user location. The static location is what the userenters during registration and saved in his/her profile, or obtainedthrough API from another social network if the user elected to sign upto the service with another social network credentials. The dynamiclocation is a data point entry in the user's profile location which isconstantly updated based on information obtained each time the user logsinto the social network. The dynamic updated information is obtainedthrough location standards such as GPS, LBS, RTLS or Geolocationservices.

The embodiments herein fill a gap left by the existing standards andtechnologies when it comes to the actual discovery process and exchangeof contact information over the internet bypassing ad hoc communicationand compatibility and provides personalized way of discovering people bypictures primarily.

According to another embodiment herein, a method for meeting peopleincluding discovering people; e.g., viewing their pictures, names, orother personal information, and selecting one or more people to send aninvitation to, is provided. The invitation may take the form of a socialcard, V-Card, or other manner of engaging another person in a socialatmosphere like quick SMS or flag that there is interest of connecting,or even a business setting such as a meeting, trade show, conference,etc.

In one aspect, the embodiments herein provide a system and method thatenables discovery of others who also desire social interaction, butwithout being constrained by hardware compatibility issues inherent inmobile devices by different manufacturers. According to this aspect ofthe embodiments herein, mobile device users (or users) can offer toother, nearby users, their pictures or other information as part of adiscovery process, save contacts received from other users, and keepcontacts stored on a mobile device up to date by upload/download ofpersonal information through a networked storage capability provided bythe computing device; e.g., an internet-linked storage device accessiblethrough a cellular phone network.

For purposes of explanation, the following definitions are adopted. A“requesting user” is the person or person(s) who is connected to theservice of the social network through the internet using aninternet-enabled mobile device, initiates a discovery process; e.g.,search for other members in the vicinity, and a “discovered user” is theperson or person(s) belonging to the same social network and may or maynot be connected at that time to the service but in the vicinity of therequesting user and his/her personal attributes provided as a result ofthe initiated inquiry to the requesting user.

In one example, two persons, a requesting user and discovered ordiscoverable user are members of a social network which allows themembers to communicate with each other as part of the social networkservice. The social network computing device includes a server thatstores personal attribute information including static location, capableof obtaining dynamic location data and capable of calculating theproximity of members based on location regardless if it's static ordynamic. A standard discovery process may be initiated by the requestinguser for other members in the vicinity. Once the user logs into theservice with the mobile device using the CSA (Client Side Application),the computing device obtains location of the user based on LBS, RTLS orGeolocation, etc.

The computing device of the social network cross-references the user'slocation with registered members in the vicinity of the first user andreturns the results by disclosing personal attributes including picturesand names of all members in the vicinity based on proximity location.The user who initiated the inquiry can select from the results returnedany discovered user he/she wishes to connect with and send a form ofinvitation to connect using network available tools such as email, sms,text or any customized invitation form. The invitation to connect to theinquiring user would include his/her personal attributes includingpicture and name. The discovered member who received invitation canaccept, ignore or decline connecting with the inquiring user.

The communication between requesting and discovered users may thenproceed through services provided by the social network computingdevice, thereby bypassing the limitations of communication over oneprotocol, network limitation/fees, or devices incompatibility. As anexample, one member can be connected to the service of the socialnetwork and the computing device through internet service over cellularsignal while the other person could be connected to the same servicethrough WiFi® signal that provides internet access.

The computing device can be configured to frequently push updates of auser's contacts to his/her mobile device, and maintain backup ofcontacts and information of each user. Additionally, the computingdevice of the social network with the storage service may be configuredto initiate an exchange of contact by suggesting to membersrecommendations on other members to connect with that could be a goodfit to the user. The computing device can share with the user personalattributes of other members in the vicinity such as pictures andinformation of potential matches to connect with. The computing deviceis capable of cross-referencing members' locations and calculating thedistance between members to eliminate members that are not in closeproximity or in vicinity of the user conducting the search.

Users have the ability to customize their search proximity calculationby setting the distance and area for search. As an example, a salesperson may look for members in the vicinity of 20 miles from him tointroduce himself to. Alternatively, a person who is missing aconvention in NYC while in California, may start search for members inNYC while he is in California to discover people he wishes to connectwith. The recommendations based on vicinity are based on user's staticlocation in a profile or dynamic updated location obtained from user'slast log into the service.

According to another aspect of the embodiments herein, a system andmethod is provided that allows users of the social network, or moregenerally a database service, to create custom social cards that includesocial profiles, email information, phone numbers and/or multiplepictures as a personal attribute. In one embodiment, a social cardassociated with the discovered user may be viewed when a requesting userinitiates an inquiry, this unique experience puts a human face on eachphone detected during the search rather than an uninteresting Bluetooth®address which is current method of returning search in vicinity nowusing short range wireless signal.

For instance, the social card may include a picture, a name, location,personalized icons or card designs, etc. Furthermore, the requestinguser may receive a plurality of such social cards when there are manymembers of the service within the short range network or vicinity, orgeographic area as defined by the user who is conducting the search.

If the requesting user elects to make contact with one or more of themembers discovered in the vicinity, he/she may send an invitationincluding sharing the requesting user's card or custom profilecontaining a picture or pictures of the requesting user with apersonalized message intended to spark an interest with the discovereduser. The discovered user may then respond by accepting a connection,denying or utilize other services provided by the social network such asSMS, chat or email between users.

According to another aspect of the embodiments herein, a method fordiscovering a person over a type of communication network is provided,and then the method permits communicating with that person over a secondtype of communication network after initial acceptance; e.g., using aWiFi® network to connect to the internet and discover the person. Thefirst member can then continue communication with the second memberlater on a cellular phone network that provides data connection to theinternet. This means that as long as both members connected to theservice via an internet connection, they can communicate regardless ofproximity or type of device each member may have or type of method usedto connect to the internet.

The server is capable of providing information to members mobile devicesphones not capable of exchanging data via Bluetooth® or the related adhoc network communication protocol, and/or not connected to a cellularphone network via a common cellular phone network provider, or providerplan as long as the device has capability and is connected to theinternet.

The method may further include the step of selecting and exchanginginformation based on pictures received as a result of the promotionalmessage by the service to encourage members to connect to others in thevicinity. The mobile device users are members of a social networkservice that operates/maintains the server.

According to another embodiment, a server is provided that is capable ofproviding a communication between a first and second mobile phone userthrough the server and inform each member that they received message orinvitation from others members. Notifications to mobile device usersabout invitations or messages received can be sent to users by SMS orthe CSA notification messaging services.

In certain embodiments, unique member identifiers comprising aBluetooth® device address, or a WiFi® address, or a main componentaddress such as IMEI, which is the international mobile stationequipment identifier, is associated with the device and member logincredentials; and are stored on the server associated with the user'sprofile/social card.

This authentication is important so when a search is conducted on amobile device and hardware ID is returned as search results fromstandard protocols, the embodiments herein associate a profile with theunique ID and returns the search results in the form of personalattributes such as picture and name. Additional advantages are detailedlater for authentication with devices, retrievals of account on newdevices and more. The system provided by the embodiments herein does notrequire that discoverable members have their respective devices turnedon at the time of the search conducted by the first user or connected atthe time to the service through internet connection. Thus, the serverreturns the search results of all members in the vicinity based on theirlocation and proximity to the first user based on stored staticlocations and the latest dynamic location known and stored on theserver.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fullyreveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, byapplying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for variousapplications such specific embodiments without departing from thegeneric concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modificationsshould and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and rangeof equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood thatthe phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a computing deviceconfigured to communicate with various mobile and terminal devices tomanage introduction and connection of members belonging to a samenetwork by sharing personal attributes between members; a first mobilecommunications device communicatively linked to said computing device;and a second mobile communications device communicatively linked to saidcomputing device, wherein said computing device provides access tostored user profile information about a first user and a second user,wherein said computing device is configured to store static locations ofmembers and receive information identifying current dynamic locations ofall members in said network, wherein said computing device is configuredto calculate and determine a proximity of user locations, wherein saidcomputing device is configured to send to said first user upon inquiringof other members in said network of said first user, personal attributesof all other members based on proximity calculations to select membersthat said first user may wish to connect with, and to send to saidsecond mobile communication device an invitation on behalf of said firstuser for said second user to accept connecting with said first user,wherein said computing device is configured to communicatively connectsaid first user and said second user, wherein said computing device isconfigured to locate information about said second user from a socialnetwork storage file of said second user, and transmit this informationto said first mobile communications device, wherein the first user andthe second user are members of a same social network, and the computingdevice is to disclose non-anonymous social network attributes includinga picture, name, and location of the first user and the second user in avicinity or within a predetermined distance from one another for thepurpose of connecting members of the same social network based in parton proximity calculations between connecting members, wherein saidcomputing device permits discoverable members to have their respectivedevices turned on or turned off at a time of a search being conducted bysaid first user, wherein said computing device permits said discoverablemembers to have their respective devices unconnected to an internetconnection service at said time of the search being conducted by saidfirst user, and wherein any of turned off devices and disconnecteddevices is discoverable by said computer device as said internetconnection service is configured to report said any of turned offdevices and disconnected devices as discoverable based on a lateststatic and dynamic location in proximity to said first user.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said computing device is operable to disclosesocial network attributes of said first and second users for connectingmembers.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said computing device isconfigured to report to said first user social network attributes of allmembers of a social network who are in proximity to said first user. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein said computing device is configured toreceive from said first user a selection of one or more additional userswith whom said first user wishes to connect with through a socialnetwork.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said computing device isconfigured to send to said first user social attributes of one or moreof selected additional users.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein saidcomputing device is configured to update profile information to indicatethat the first and second users are connected.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein said computing device is configured to store communicationbetween members and synchronize saved communication on a client sideapplication used on devices for communication.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein said computing device is configured to assess a proximity ofusers to one another based on any of a static location information in auser profile and updated location indicators of a user dynamic location.9. The system of claim 8, wherein updated location indicators are basedon user location information reported to said computing device.
 10. Amethod comprising: using a computing device to communicate with variousmobile and terminal devices to manage introduction and connection ofmembers belonging to a same network by sharing personal attributesbetween members; communicatively linking a first mobile communicationsdevice to said computing device; communicatively linking a second mobilecommunications device to said computing device; using said computingdevice to provide access to stored user profile information about afirst user and a second user; using said computing device to storestatic locations of members and receive information identifying currentdynamic locations of all members in said network; using said computingdevice to calculate and determine a proximity of user locations; usingsaid computing device to send to said first user upon inquiring of othermembers in said network of said first user, personal attributes of allother members based on proximity calculations to select members thatsaid first user may wish to connect with, and to send to said secondmobile communication device an invitation on behalf of said first userfor said second user to accept connecting with said first user; usingsaid computing device to communicatively connect said first user andsaid second user; using said computing device to locate informationabout said second user from a social network storage file of said seconduser, and transmit this information to said first mobile communicationsdevice, wherein the first user and the second user are members of a samesocial network, and the computing device is to disclose non-anonymoussocial network attributes including a picture, name, and location of thefirst user and the second user in a vicinity or within a predetermineddistance from one another for the purpose of connecting members of thesame social network based in part on proximity calculations betweenconnecting members; using said computing device to permit discoverablemembers to have their respective devices turned on or turned off at atime of a search being conducted by said first user; and using saidcomputing device to permit said discoverable members to have theirrespective devices unconnected to an internet connection service at saidtime of the search being conducted by said first user, wherein any ofturned off devices and disconnected devices is discoverable by saidcomputer device as said internet connection service is configured toreport said any of turned off devices and disconnected devices asdiscoverable based on a latest static and dynamic location in proximityto said first user.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising usingsaid computing device to disclose social network attributes of saidfirst and second users for connecting members.
 12. The method of claim11, further comprising using said computing device to report to saidfirst user social network attributes of all members of a social networkwho are in proximity to said first user.
 13. The method of claim 10,further comprising using said computing device to receive from saidfirst user a selection of one or more additional users with whom saidfirst user wishes to connect with through a social network.
 14. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising using said computing device tosend to said first user social attributes of one or more of selectedadditional users.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising usingsaid computing device to update profile information to indicate that thefirst and second users are connected.
 16. The method of claim 10,further comprising using said computing device to store communicationbetween members and synchronize saved communication on a client sideapplication used on devices for communication.
 17. The method of claim10, further comprising using said computing device to assess a proximityof users to one another based on any of a static location information ina user profile and updated location indicators of a user dynamiclocation.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein updated locationindicators are based on user location information reported to saidcomputing device.